Former MCC inmate indicted

A former Moberly Correctional Center inmate and two associates have been indicted on federal conspiracy charges.

The United States Attorney's Office for Eastern District of Missouri, reports:

Anthony Johnson and his two associates referred to themselves as the "Hilton" family. The indictment alleges that between July 2009 and March 2011, these three defendants engaged in a conspiracy to steal identification information of unsuspecting victims, open new credit accounts using the stolen identities, and use the fraudulent credit accounts to deposit money into the accounts of inmates at the Moberly Correctional Center (MCC).

The indictment states that once they obtained credit accounts they wire transferred money into the account of inmates, which was then sent to Walton, Moore and other people outside of MCC.

Anthony Johnson, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury in December on one felony count of conspiracy to commit identity theft and three felony counts of identity theft; Cedric Walton, 31, Memphis, TN, was indicted on the conspiracy count and one count of identity theft; and Timothy Moore, 24, Memphis, TN, was indicted on conspiracy. The indictment remained suppressed until arrests were made. Johnson was arraigned in federal court Tuesday morning.

If convicted, conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; each count of identity theft carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Moberly, Missouri Police Department; and the Missouri Department of Corrections. Assistant United States Attorney Reginald Harris is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.